Games Soundtrack Appreciation / Discussion Thread

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I usually don't fixate on Soundtracks, perhaps because I tend to focus on Multiplayer games (L4D being the only one I can think of where soundtracks play an important role). In fact, music will usually be the first thing I turn off after an hour or two when I've felt I've heard it all.

But certain tracks from ME3 quite stood out to me which got me thinking about the impact of Soundtracks in games (and I know I am not the first to), and why so many people throw such a huge fuss over them (like those JRPG or Civilization soundtracks and etc). When I hit up the forums, I was surprised that there wasn't a thread dedicated to discussion of soundtracks and their impact in games around here.

So here we go.

Feel free to share any game soundtracks that stood out to you and discuss them!

As certain discussions will most surely cross into spoiler territory, please be considerate of the 'lazy/busy' portion of us that may have not finished certain games and use the SPOILER tags where appropriate.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE CONTINUING FOR IMPROVING YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS THREAD!

I initially intended this to be just a humble little discussion thread about soundtracks and their use/impact in games, but it's now evolved into this massive compendium of people's favorite video-game soundtracks (which is just as awesome!). So here are a couple tips for viewing/using this thread.

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The Mass Effect soundtrack is one of my favorites. The "Noveria" tune from ME1 is nearly trance-inducing. My Shepard in ME2 keeps it on a loop in his quarters.

Regarding The Catalyst:

Indeed. Taken in context, it's a very moving piece. I also really loved the song that played as you watched the outcome of your choice. Despite what anyone thinks of the ending content, the score is powerful.

Since I'm re-playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, I've been listening to the soundtrack quite a bit. It's one of those moments when I'm happy I have ears.

What is there to say? They are simply awesome songs. It sums up the entire tone of the game for me: striving for unachievable heights, falling under the weight of one's own hubris, and living with all the damage done in between.

Gametrailers did a thing on the Mass Effect soundtrack this week, you might want to watch it.
It's definitely up there as one of my favourites. A few others that stand out as iconic or that I find myself going back and listening to are:

StarCraft:

Unreal Tournament (not just this song, the whole soundtrack is fantastic):

VVVVVV

Diablo 2

The Tristram theme might be more iconic, but the opening bit of this one gets me every time.

Super Meat Boy also had a good soundtrack but I've embedded enough already :d

Thief. For what is mostly a quiet/ambient game, as you'd expect from the sneaking, it does fit in quite a bit of rock, and it fits with the world/environment/setting they made. I think it gives the series a bit of a sharper edge and reminds you it's not just a medieval romp.

An incredible number of great suggestions in here. I forget sometimes how much amazing music is in video games. One of my favourite game soundtracks of all time is an oldie but still gets me every time. Star Control II:

It was all done in MOD files which was a great track and loop based music format. You could actually open up all the songs and edit them which made for some great remixes. You can actually still download and play the whole game for free and it's my second favourite title of all-time. I still regularly play it and this soundtrack always makes me smile. So much great music came from the MOD/S3M scene.